Port Blair Andaman & Nicobar

Travel Guide

Port Blair is the capital city of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, housing the only commercial airport here, it is well connected by both sea & air and is known as the gateway to the islands.

It resembles the tale of any other city in India. Hotels, restaurants, resorts, and shops adorn its streets. Apart from that, it also has a lot of history associated with it, but not just any, it’s the history of our fight for freedom.​

Named Kaalapani it was largely used by the British for deporting political prisoners from India. And now it happens to be the most prominent tourist destination in the Islands, and the hub of all tourist activities happening around the Isles.

Due to the number of visitors traveling via Port Blair, the island has the best choices in hotels and staycations offering rooms for every budget.

Water Sports choices on the island are abundant and range from everything from Scuba Diving and Parasailing to simpler ones like Snorkeling and Jet Skis.

Being the hub, Port Blair connects to all the other islands in Andaman which are open to tourists via road and ferries. North Andaman, consisting of Baratang, Rangat, Mayabunder, and Diglipur is connected directly via road, although some routes are faster traveled via ferry. Other tourist destinations in the islands like Havelock Island and Neil are connected via ferries mostly operating from the Phoenix Bay Jetty, while the Aberdeen Jetty connects Port Blair to nearby islands like North Bay Island, Ross Island and Viper Island.

Port Blair itself has a wide variety of tourist attractions that fits every kind of traveler, whether you are looking for a relaxed beach-side kind of vibe, a historical getaway, or searching for a bit of fun and adventure on the sea. Thus providing a fulfilling holiday to anyone, be it, family, honeymooners, couples, or adventure lovers.

FACTS‌ ABOUT‌ PORT‌ BLAIR:

  • Port Blair has the only commercial airport in the islands, which also doubles as a defense airport, hence photography is strictly prohibited.
  • Port Blair is a well-connected island. It is connected to most of the North Andaman via road.
  • The only beach where swimming is allowed in Port Blair is the Corbyn's Cove Beach.
  • You can easily reach Diglipur, Baratang, Rangat, Mayabunder, and HutBay via road.
  • The island is also connected by ferry to all other tourist destinations in Andaman.
  • The Internet is slow here, like the rest of the islands, but there are a lot of internet cafes and wi-fi spots where you can find decent connectivity.
  • Port Blair has 3 beaches in total, which are: Carbyn’s Cove Beach, Wandoor Beach, and Mundapahar Beach- near Chidiyatapu.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Port Blair Airport only has flights on Saturday, Sunday, and Monday till 1 May 2022. Please plan your trip according to that.

Port Blair Tourist Attractions:

Other attractions in Andaman & Nicobar.

How to Plan a Trip to Port Blair:

Planning your trip in Port Blair is fairly easy. Keep in mind that most of the tourist destinations in Andaman Islands are connected only through Port Blair so this is will be the center spot for all your tours.

The way to plan a trip and travel in Port Blair is to visit 2-3 locations everyday which may include Corbyn's Cove Beach, Cellular Jail, and Water Sports complex. All of these can be visited in 1 day.

If you wanna explore Port Blair for another day, you can plan a visit to Chidiyatapu and Wandoor. Both are offbeat and equally wonderful places to visit.

Getting Around in Port Blair:

Getting around on a bike in Port Blair
  • Rental Cabs:
    Rental cabs are available from all major destinations in Port Blair, especially near the airport and jetty. These are the most convenient way to travel on the island, without worrying about anything else. Although most cabs have fixed prices, it is better to book everything in advance or fix the prices before your journey.
  • Bike Rentals:
    Bike rentals are available in Port Blair and is considered by independent travelers as the best way to explore the island. The rent is done by the day and usually costs no more than INR‌ 500 for the day. Make sure to keep a map of Port Blair before starting your journey.
  • Auto Rickshaws:
    Auto Rickshaws are available throughout the day in most parts of Port Blair. The prices vary highly, so make to fix everything before starting your journey.
  • Bus:
    Both Govt. and private buses operate throughout Port Blair to different destinations. Most of the tourist attractions are connected via bus and therefore it can be used as a mode of transportation if you are following your travel on a strict budget.

Distance of Major Attractions from Port Blair:
  • Airport to Carbyns Cove Beach: 4.9 Kms | 12 Min via VIP Road.
  • Airport to Chidiyatapu and Mundapahad: | 22.5 Kms | 45 Mins via Cab.
  • Airport to Wandoor Beach: 20.1 Kms | 33 Mins via Cab.
  • Airport to Cellular Jail: 3.8 Kms | 9 Mins via Cab.
  • Airport to Water Sports Complex: 4.2 Kms | 10 Mins via Cab
  • Airport to Mount Harriet: 45.8 Kms | 1 hour 20 Minutes

How to Reach Port Blair:

Port Blair Airport
Port Blair Airport

Port Blair is about 778 miles (1,255 km) from Kolkata (Calcutta) and some 738 miles (1,191 km) from Chennai (Madras).

Reaching Port Blair means reaching the Andamans and there are 2 ways to reach here.

1. Flight

2. Ship

Flight:‍

Flights are the best way to reach Port Blair and it takes around 2-2.5 hours, in general, to reach here. Almost all the tourists visiting the Islands prefer flight as it is more convenient and hassle-free.

Direct flights are available from Chennai, Mumbai, Bangalore, Kolkata, and Delhi so you don’t have to go through the hassle of a layover.

Try contacting your local ticket supplier for booking,

If you are booking a package from us, you will also have the option to let us book the tickets at an affordable price.

Passenger Ship:

Coming here in a ship can be affordable but it takes more than 3-4 days (50-60 Hours) to reach Andaman from Vishakapatnam and Kolkata.

People coming from Kolkata travel a distance of 1255 KMs to reach Port Blair while people coming from Chennai cover 1190 KMs for the same duration of time.

The fare generally ranges from INR‌ 2900-3000 for the Bunk Class, INR 7455-9365 for Cabin 2nd Class and INR‌ 10,000-11,295 for Deluxe 1st Class.

Before booking, one must also consider several factors including, Sea Sickness, Weather, Food, and Clean Cabins.

Overall we don't recommend coming here on a ship because it won't be near as pleasant as a cruise.

To learn more about the ways you can reach Port Blair and learn more about the journey via Ship with full comparison, visit how to reach the Andaman Islands page.

Transfer to Other Islands:

You will be traveling to different islands by a ferry and every ferry in Andaman connects to Port Blair giving you a lot of choices in timings and operators.

Basically there are 2 types of ferries in Andaman:

Govt. Ferry:
Govt. Ferry in Port Blair Harbor

Operated by the A&N Administration, the Govt. ferry is used by locals mostly and is considered the lifeline of the islands. The Govt. ferry operates for all routes that connects Port Blair to other islands in both South and Middle Andaman. The pricing for the Govt. ferry is low (usually half) when compared to the private one, but it is mostly reserved for locals and tourists are deterred from using it.

Another reason why its not famous among travelers is that there is no option for pre-booking online, you will have to visit the counter in person and stand in line 2 days before the departure date to get the ticket.


Private Ferry and Cruises:
ferry in port blair

Private ferries deliver a premium travel experience and are mostly geared towards tourists. Although a bit more expensive than the govt. ones, these cruises travel pretty fast, with the least chance of seasickness, making it quite popular among travelers who want to avoid any hassles. The tickets for these can be bought either from the respective ferry operator or can be booked through partners like Eternal Andamans.

We highly recommend you to book the ferries in advance according to your plans as the tickets sell out pretty fast, and there is no other way to reach remote islands besides them. Over the years we have received countless calls regarding last-minute ferry bookings, but we can only help so much.

Port Blair to Neil Island:
Port Blair to Neil Island Map

Port Blair and Neil are not connected via road and therefore the only way to reach there is through a govt ferry or private cruise. Below are the schedule and other necessary information for the ferries operating through this route.

Port Blair to Havelock Island:

Havelock is an independent island and therefore it is not connected to Port Blair physically via any road. The only way to commute back and forth is via ferry and cruise operating through the route daily. Below is the information about the schedule and pricing, so you can compare and see what fits well with your travel plans.

 

Port Blair to Baratang, Rangat, Mayabunder, and Diglipur:
Vehicle Ferry to go from Baratang from Port Blair

Port Blair is well connected via road to most of the tourist destinations which are a part of the North Andaman Islands and therefore its fairly easy to commute back and forth between them. Its easy to travel via vehicle ferry and then take a cab to reach the destination. Read more below.

How to go to Baratang from Port Blair?
You will have to take either a bus from the Bus Terminus from Port Blair or a cab to reach Baratang. Mid-way the bus will be taken to vehicle ferry for covering the distance faster.

How to reach Mayabunder from Port Blair?
You can reach Mayabunder by a direct bus from the Bus Terminus and takes 8-9 hours to reach there. You can also opt to take a ferry to Diglipur and take a bus from there to reach there early. It takes 5-6 hours to reach by taking this route.

How to reach Diglipur from Port Blair?
You can reach Diglipur by taking a bus from the bus terminus in Aberdeen Bazaar and takes around 10-12 hours to reach there. You can also opt for cab that takes 8 hours to reach there. Ferries are also available from Phoenix Bay Jetty for which tickets can be booked from DSS 2 days before the departure. It takes 4-5 hours to reach via a ferry.

How to Reach Nearby Islands:

How to reach Jolly Buoy island from Port Blair?
To reach Jolly Buoy you will take to take the boat tickets and forest permit from the IP&T office and reach Wandoor Beach via a cab to get on the boat that leaves from Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park.

How to go to North Bay island from Port Blair?

You can reach North Bay from Port Blair by taking a cab to Water Sports Complex and then taking a boat from Complex to North Bay Island. Regular boats are available to hire nearby, giving you a lot of options.

How to reach Havelock Island from Port Blair?

Since Havelock Island and Port Blair are separated by sea without any connecting bridges, you will have to take either a govt. ferry or private ferry/cruise to reach Havelock. Its better to book ferry online atleast 15 days before you depart from Port Blair as the tickets sell out pretty fast.

How to reach Nicobar Islands from Port Blair?
Tourists are barred from visiting the Nicobar Islands and can only visit and explore the islands in Andaman.

How to reach Ross and Smith Island from Port Blair?
To reach Ross and Smith island you will have to take a cab from Port Blair to Diglipur and then get on a boat there to reach the Ross and Smith Island.

General Information:

  • LANGUAGE:
    Within the mix of many cultures and languages, Hindi, Tamil, and Bengali is the most common language in Port Blair. Most, if not all people, speak Hindi so you can easily travel around here. Most people understand or speak English too.
  • CURRENCY:
    Just like the rest of the islands, Port Blair uses the Indian Rupee (INR) as the currency. There are a lot of ATM’s and branches of all major banks are available here. For currency exchange, you can visit any branch of SBI with your passport and fill up the exchange form.
  • INTERNET‌ AND‌‌ CONNECTIVITY:
    The Internet is slow in Port Blair, similar to other islands. There are a lot of internet cafes and shops on the island that provide a slow yet usable connection to its customers.‌ Make sure to visit one of them, if you are looking for some connectivity urgently. As for the cellular connection, BSNL, Airtel, and Vodafone networks are available, BSNL being the most reliable among the three.
  • HOSPITALS AND‌ SAFETY:
    Port Blair has the largest hospital in the Andaman Island, the G.B Pant Hospital, which is a Govt. hospital that provides free healthcare. For public safety, police are always present near all major tourist destinations on the island. You can reach the emergency services at the following numbers:

Important Contact Information:

  • Police: 100 (24x7, Toll-Free)
  • Fire: 101 (24x7, Toll-Free)
  • Tourist Information: 03192-232694

FAQ's:

Do we need passport for Port Blair?

If you are a citizen of India, no passport is required to travel in Andaman Islands although all adults must carry the Aadhar Card. If you are a foreign national, you will require passport and and area permit to visit the islands.

How many days required to visit Port Blair?

If you are looking to visit all the major attractions like Chidiyatapu, Wandoor Beach, Carbyns Cove Beach and Cellular Jail it will take 2 days to explore them all. If you are looking to visit the nearby islands like Ross Island, North Bay, and Jolly Buoy along with the other major attractions you can explore them all in under 3 days.

How to get government ferry ticket in Port Blair?

To get the govt. ferry ticket, you can visit the DSS (Directorate of Shipping Services) office in Phoenix Bay to get the tickets. The tickets are on sale 2 days prior to departure. You can get more information on this by enquiring at DSS Information Centre at the address: Foreshore Rd, Phoenix Bay, Port Blair.

What to wear in Port Blair?

Since Port Blair is tropical with high humudity and average temperature, you can opt to wear light cotton clothes and shorts. A hat and sunscreen is also recommended because tanning capacity is high here.

Is Port Blair a major Port?

Yes Port Blair is major port in Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The port harbors both passenger ships and cargo ships and is responsible for all goods traveling to Andaman Islands.

How to get ferry and cruise ticket in Port Blair?

You can get private ferry and cruise tickets in Port Blair by either booking it online or by visiting the office. You can book them online or get the address of the respective office of the cruise operator here.

Where is Port Blair?

Port Blair is located at the Bay of Bengal, on the right side of India, 1191 kms from Chennai and 1225 kms from Kolkata.

How to book CPWD guest house and Teal House in Port Blair?

You can book CPWD guest house and Teal House by contacting your department head and place a request with the Andaman Administration.

How to reach Port Blair from Delhi?

You can reach Port Blair from Delhi by taking a flight. All flights to Port Blair are connecting and you will have to make an overlay stop in Chennai, Kolkata, Hyderabad, and Vishakapatnam. In general it takes around 4-5 hours to reach here.

How far is Havelock Island from Port Blair?

Havelock Island is located 70.6 kms from the Port Blair Airport and 51 Kms from the Phoenix Bay Jetty.

How to reach Radhanagar beach from Port Blair?

Radhanagar Beach is located in Havelock Island, which has to be reached by taking a ferry from Port Blair. Once you are there you can get a cab or auto-rickshaw to the Radhanagar Beach.

How far is Neil Island from Port Blair?

Neil Island is located 39.8 kms approx from Port Blair and it takes 2 hours to reach there via a ferry and 1 hour via a cruise.

Andaman Tour Packages
Pay Later, After Confirmation.
Lowest Price Guaranteed.
Confirmation in 3 Hours or Less.
We have received the request and will get back to you with more information.

Our team will check the availability and discounts and give you a call before confirmation and payment.

Feel free to explore our tour packages till then.
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
Need Help? Contact Us
Tours to Andaman Islands at the Lowest Price
As one of the largest local tour operators in Andaman, Eternal Andamans offers tours at the lowest rates in the islands.